Rosina Heikel 1842 – 1929

She was a Finnish medical doctor and feminist. In 1878, she became the first female physician in Finland, and specialised in gynaecology and paediatrics.

Heikel was granted a limited license to practice, which allowed her to treat only women and children. During 1878, she practiced in Stockholm and Copenhagen, and moved to Vaasa in 1879 to specialise in women’s and children’s health. She could not register as a member of the Finnish Medical Society until 1884. In 1883 the post of city gynaecologist in Helsinki was created for her; it was changed to city gynaecologist and paediatrician in 1889. Heikel stayed in the role until 1901 and maintained a private Helsinki practice until 1906.

Outside of medical practice, Heikel was an active proponent of the women’s rights movement and the feminist association Naisasialiitto Unioni.[2] An advocate of women’s education, she helped to found Konkordia-liitto, an organisation for female academics. In 1888, Heikel spoke at a meeting of the Finnish Medical Society against legalised prostitution, and in 1892 she addressed the Naisasialiitto Unioni to promote equality in educational opportunities for girls and boys. She managed a children’s workhouse and was an advocate for children’s health in rural Finland.

Heikel died on 13 December 1929 in Helsinki, with no surviving